Alward Government Urged To Cancel Tax Credit For Movie

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is pressing the provincial government to cancel a 250 thousand dollar tax credit granted to Dream Street Pictures to make a television movie about the aftermath of the Bathurst van crash in which 7 high school basketball players and the coach's wife were killed.

The Federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey tells CHSJ News two of the mothers of students who died complain they haven't been consulted. He also points out it was the Alward government that decided to axe the NB Film agency in the first place because it wasn't achieving the results that were hoped for.

The Taxpayers Federation made its request in a letter sent to the provincial Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport Trevor Holder.

A Message Delivered To Students Who Are Bullied

As the new school year approaches, a national charity is reminding parents and students that help is available when it comes to schoolyard bullying.

Rob Frenette of Anti-Bullying Canada tells CHSJ News

they are working to fund scholarships for those to address and tackle the bullying problem.

He says as a charitable organization they can no longer lobby government but, the Minister of Education has put together a committee that is looking at legislation to prevent bullying.

Frenette says his group is now focused on community education and will leave the fight for legislation to others groups.

For more information: visit www.bullyingcanada.ca

Tropical Storm Irene Heads North Packing Strong Winds And Rain

Tropical Storm Irene is currently 80 kilometres east of Albany, New York with wind speeds of 95 kilometres per hour travelling north northeast at 43 kilometres an hour.


Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for the fundy coastlines of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Rainfall warnings remain in effect for most of this province and parts of Quebec while wind warnings are in effect for most of the Maritimes.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre reports Irene's wind field is enormous with Yarmouth, Nova Scotia experiencing a wind gust of 93 kilometres an hour earlier today. Parts of South Western New Brunswick have already been soaked with more than 50 millimetres of rain.

For more informaton on what to expect from Tropical Storm Irene tonight and tomorrow, click here

Irene Update, Tropical Storm Brings High Winds

Hurricane Irene is now Tropical Storm Irene, but forecasters say the storm is still large and brings the threat of high winds to southern NB. 

Chris Fogarty is a meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Centre. 

He says heavy wind is expected to whip through Saint John tonight, and the area will see bursts of heavy rain.

Fogarty maintains the midnight hour will be the time to watch. 

He says the wind combined with high tide could cause storm surge or flooding issues.

Fogarty says Irene is not just an overnight event. 

He says winds will continue to blow tomorrow, even if it's under sunny skies.

Irene Weakening, SJ To See Wind

Hurricane Irene continues to weaken as it pounds the mid-Atlantic states.

But the storm has cut power to almost two million homes and businesses between North Carolina and New Jersey.

A rain, wind and tropical storm warning is in effect for the city and surrounding area.

Chris Fogarty is a meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Centre and says Saint John will see some of the action.

He says the northwestern part of the province will get the heaviest rainfall, but Saint John and the rest of Southern NB will receive the brunt of the wind.

Fogarty says Saint John could also face surge flooding if the worst of the wind arrives just after midnight, coinciding with high tide.

Fish Feeding Down To A Science

An automated feeder making life easier for salmon farmers at the Charlie Cove fish farm near St. Andrew's. 

Chuck Brown with Cooke Aquaculture says an underwater camera allows feed technicians to see what's going on beneath the surface. 

He says they're trained to identify signs, like the fish slowing down, to know when to stop.

Brown says the technology means farmers waste less feed in the long run and save money, and it also means there's no excess in the environment.

Rothesay Gets Low-Cost "IOU"

Rothesay will save 100 thousand dollars in interest payments thanks to a low-cost loan from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News the 3.5 million dollar loan is being used to upgrade the town's drinking water supply. 

It will see water connected to part of K-Park and a section of vacant land that could supply water to roughly 700 new homes.

Bishop says the project is practically done, but the low-cost loan will save the town money while paying off the bill.

Stem Cell Lab On The Way

The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation hopes to have their new stem cell lab up and running in 6 months time.

Foundation President and CEO Tim Cameron tells CHSJ News their campaign to raise 680 thousand dollars is unprecedented in that the majority of donations have been from individuals. 

He says about 70 per cent of the money they've raised so far has been from individuals as opposed to corporations.

Cameron says the Foundation had a much better mail campaign this year than normal as well.

He says despite being about 150 thousand dollars short of their goal, some of the equipment for the new lab has already been ordered.

Liberals Not Sole Cause Of Debt, Boudreau Says

Interim Liberal Leader Victor Boudreau says the increase of the provincial debt by a billion dollars cannot be placed solely on the shoulders of the former Graham government.

He tells CHSJ News they got hit by the worst financial crisis in 70 years, and the Liberal government was spending money in order to stimulate the economy, much like the federal government.

He says a Liberal government would have balanced the books by growing the economy and managing spending.

But he says the Alward government acts as if the economy is non-existent.

Tree Vandals in Rothesay

Someone with a not-so-green thumb uprooting two-year-old trees in Rothesay.

Constable Henderson tells CHSJ News the trees line the Hampton Road near Rothesay High School.

She says police found one of them snapped in two and another completely uprooted on the sidewalk.

Henderson says she doesn't know who did it but reckons it wasn't the weather.

She says the town has indicated it will cost 800 dollars to replace each tree.

Police sticking the uprooted one back in the ground in hopes will come back on its own.

Irene Bringing Heavy Wind To SJ

Meteorologists are predicting heavy winds for Saint John when hurricane Irene reaches Atlantic Canada.

Chris Fogarty is a meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Centre and says wind warnings will go out for the southwestern part of the province later today.

Tropical storm warnings are expected to go out tomorrow morning when the rain starts.

Fogarty says northwestern NB will see the heaviest rainfall, but Saint John will feel the brunt of the wind.

He says gusts could reach up to 120 kilometers per hour, and that kind of wind can break tree branches and cause power outages.

Fogarty says Saint John could also face surge flooding if the worst of the wind arrives just after midnight, coinciding with high tide.

Dragon Boats Take To The Water

If you look out over the water near Renforth Wharf today, don't be alarmed to see a fleet of dragons.

The city's Dragon Boat Festival goes today and Laurie Flood CHSJ News they're fundraising for new equipment, which will complete last year's campaign to help with minimally invasive spine surgery.

She says the goal is to purchase a Radiolucent Spinal Operating Table for Surgical Services and a SLT Laser for the Ophthalmology Clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Flood says the SLT laser will help the eye centre diagnose and treat glaucoma, which is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada.

She says in addition to today's races, there will also be entertainment, vendors and a kids area.

For more information head to http://www.sjdragonboat.ca/main.html

Effects of Hurricane Irene To Be Felt Late Into Weekend

The Canadian Hurricane Centre says New Brunswickers can expect rain and heavy winds as Hurricane Irene cuts across the east coast.

Chris Fogarty with the Hurricane Centre says rain and winds will pick up late Sunday afternoon and they will become more powerful during the night.

He says the winds will carry over into Monday with the heaviest rain in the northwestern part of the province.
 
There is a higher threat of flooding for the entire province.

Boudreau Says Liberals Need A Leader With Vision

With the NDP seeking a new leader due to the recent passing Jack Layton, the provincial Liberals have been in a similar predicament.
 Shawn Graham stepped down as party leader after losing to David Alward in the fall election.
Interim Leader Victor Boudreau tells CHSJ News a party commission is currently collecting feedback from their members, who will then come up with recommendations on how to move the party forward.

He says they need someone who can connect with people and can provide a vision for the future of the province.

Boudreau says currently about half a dozen members are considering to run and a party leader will be chosen by the fall of 2012 at the latest.

Local Utility Supports Power Lines For Shredder

Saint John Energy says they want to see the power lines needed to power a west side metal shredder become a reality.
Spokesperson Darin Lamont tells CHSJ News the utility is anticipating growing power demands for the west side in the coming years.

He says if they had requested this project it would cost Saint John Energy two million dollars that would have to be passed through their rates but, this way NB Power funds it through the AIM project and they can add a sub-station to it later on.
He says allowing the lines makes the most fiscal sense for everyone.

St. George Power Prepares For Irene

She may be a category two storm now but, Hurricane Irene is still a force battering North Carolina and heading up the U.S. east coast.

In anticipation of the weather event, St. George Power opening up the dam for the possibility of heavy rainfall.
Geoff Britt of JD Irving tells CHSJ News the dam is hydroelectric and doesn't hold the water back.

He says the turbines are not running because there is not enough water since the gates are open.

Britt says they took this step after getting a notification from Environment Canada for the potential of up to 150 millimetres of rain.

Loki And Snorkel's New Home Opens Next Week

With the new month comes a new regional attraction, the Fundy Discovery Aquarium opens next week.

The St. Andrews facility will be open daily from 10am to 5pm beginning September 1st.
Some exhibits are not quite ready so as a 'thank you' to the community, admission rates are reduced for the first month.

The aquarium will be a new home for Loki and Snorkel, the harbour seals, it also includes a touch pool, several tanks of fish and rare lobsters and a new gift shop.

The City Prepares For Flooding And Power Loss From Irene

As the first hurricane of the season approaches, the City of Saint John wants you to get ready for the possibility of power outages and flooding as a result.

Homeowners should be checking catch basins or ditches on or near their property for debris, and to remove belongings from any areas that may experience flooding. City crews have been preparing for Hurricane Irene by cleaning and securing all construction sites.

People living in areas affected by flooding can help by keeping an eye on the grates and clearing debris that accumulates during a rainstorm.


You should also secure any items stored outside or put them inside to prevent damage or loss.   For information on Hurricane Irene's current track: click here

Huttges Funeral Being Held Today

A funeral will be held today for the longtime mayor of St. Martin's.

Jim Huttges died unexpectedly last weekend causing shock in the village and the surrounding area.
Premier David Alward, Mayor Ivan Court and Saint John-Fundy MLA Glen Savoie all acknowledging Huttges' impact on the region this week particularly in the development of the Fundy Trail.

The funeral service is coming up this afternoon at St. Martin's United Church.

Large Crowd Remembers Layton At Lily Lake

150 people, some decked out in orange, coming out to the Lily Lake Pavilion for a memorial to Jack Layton.
Guests signed a book of condolences and the event featured Saint John federal NDP candidate Rob Moir and provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy sharing their thoughts and stories about the late NDP leader.


Cardy tells CHSJ News it's great to see everybody sharing a common bond, which is their respect for Jack Layton.
He says people from all walks of life came to remember a great Canadian.

Attendee Joe Thompson wanted to pay his respects because he feels Layton began a shift in politics.
He says he was pushing politics in the right direction and it needs to keep going.

Layton's open letter to Canadians was read to the crowd during a candlelight vigil and the memorial wrapped with the singing of "O Canada."